OS 10.4 - Folders at top of "list"?

ehmjay · ehmjay #1 (**permalink**)

03-31-2007, 11:43 AM

So this may sound like an odd question but,

I organize all my folders by "type". However in some folders I've noticed I have a few file types that will always be at the top of the list leaving my folders in the middle (mostly PSD, TIF, AVI etc).

Is there any way to make it so that the folders are always found at the top of these lists, while sorting by type, that doesn't require me manually moving the folders to the top?

Thanks!

Brown Study · Brown Study #2 (**permalink**)

03-31-2007, 01:47 PM

Hi, ehmjay

I found this in the Mac Help, under "Setting preferences for Spotlight."

Quote:

Open System Preferences and click Spotlight.

Click Search Results and select which categories you want to use for searches. Drag categories to change the order in which they are displayed in the results list.

The Folders category was near the bottom in my list. I dragged it to the top, and the change was immediate. Now folders are at the top in any search.

ehmjay · ehmjay #3 (**permalink**)

03-31-2007, 01:56 PM

okay, that did the trick for spotlight, but what I'm trying to do this in is my actual folders, however perhaps theres another hidden preference somewhere?

anyone have any ideas?

eric · eric #4 (**permalink**)

03-31-2007, 08:13 PM

from the "Mac-Forums Switchers FAQ and Information" in the switcher forum.

Q: How do I change the size of icons, size of icon text, background color/image of my windows, and/or the way files arrange themselves in my windows?
A:
When in icon view(the first view button), right click in the folder and select "Show View Options". Here you can select "Keep Arranged By" and select how to arrange your files and even set all folders to do the same. You also have other options here to help suit your preferences.
When in list view (the second view button), to get your folders and files to organize themselves by name, type, date modified, etc, click the corresponding bar at the top of the finder window.
When in column view (the third view button), folders and files seem to automatically sort by type then by name.

ehmjay · ehmjay #5 (**permalink**)

03-31-2007, 10:05 PM

okay i think i need to do a little clarification. I know how I can set up folders to sort by type - however when I do so it does not have the folders at the top - certain file types are listed before them, however what I want is to have it so that everything still sorts by type but at the top will be any folders.

torchy · torchy #6 (**permalink**)

03-31-2007, 10:12 PM

use ~` ! # numbers or just a space before the file name.
Best

eric · eric #7 (**permalink**)

03-31-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehmjay

okay i think i need to do a little clarification. I know how I can set up folders to sort by type - however when I do so it does not have the folders at the top - certain file types are listed before them, however what I want is to have it so that everything still sorts by type but at the top will be any folders.

my post answered this. depending on how you're viewing the folder you have specific options, unless you're using column view which does not necessarily sort by type. you can easily bring folders to the top of both icon and list view.

ehmjay · ehmjay #8 (**permalink**)

04-01-2007, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric

my post answered this. depending on how you're viewing the folder you have specific options, unless you're using column view which does not necessarily sort by type. you can easily bring folders to the top of both icon and list view.

Okay, I tried that but once again no dice. in my one folder all my adobe illustrator, and photoshop files apear before the folders, in both views.

Brown Study · Brown Study #9 (**permalink**)

04-01-2007, 12:31 PM

Put a space in front of the folder names. Whatever is named with a space first, tops the list. Two spaces take precedence over one space. Three over two, and so on. But don't do this with system folders or any other that Software Update wouldn't find.

eric · eric #10 (**permalink**)

04-01-2007, 03:55 PM

what view are you using?

Brown Study · Brown Study #11 (**permalink**)

04-01-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric

what view are you using?

Is that question directed to ehmjay?

eric · eric #12 (**permalink**)

04-01-2007, 04:00 PM

yes. if he's using list or icon, this shouldn't be a problem. if he's using column, then he may need to use the tricks you guys are suggesting.

i use those tricks too for sorting folders in list view. but of course all my folders are already on top.

ehmjay · ehmjay #13 (**permalink**)

04-01-2007, 09:51 PM

Im using list view mostly, but also folder view in a few ones. both types have the same issue however. im going to try that trick though.

eric · eric #14 (**permalink**)

04-05-2007, 06:52 AM

that's weird. i have no problems having folders at the top with list or icon view (per the instructions in my first reply). are you clicking the "type" bar at the top of list view?

giulio · giulio #15 (**permalink**)

04-05-2007, 08:25 AM

Eric and Brown, what you're not getting is that sort-by-kind is an alpha sort of the Kind column. So 'Folder' is bellow 'Document'.
emhjay is tyrying to have folders ALWAYS at the top regardless of your sort order, like the way Windows Explorer does. I do like that as well...

I believe there is no way to do this. Putting spaces in front a of a folder's name is a crazy hack. You can't rename folders used by the system.

eric #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 04, 2006 Location: twin cities, mn, usa Posts: 8,800	03-31-2007, 08:13 PM from the "Mac-Forums Switchers FAQ and Information" in the switcher forum. Q: How do I change the size of icons, size of icon text, background color/image of my windows, and/or the way files arrange themselves in my windows? A: When in icon view(the first view button), right click in the folder and select "Show View Options". Here you can select "Keep Arranged By" and select how to arrange your files and even set all folders to do the same. You also have other options here to help suit your preferences. When in list view (the second view button), to get your folders and files to organize themselves by name, type, date modified, etc, click the corresponding bar at the top of the finder window. When in column view (the third view button), folders and files seem to automatically sort by type then by name. Please participate in our Member of the Month polls. Every vote counts! And remember to use the user reputation system! ["Dear Homer, I. O. U. one emergency donut. Signed, Homer." - Note by Homer Simpson]
	QUOTE Thanks

torchy #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 25, 2004 Location: New Zealand Posts: 758 Mac Specs: 13" MBA. 15" MBP. iPhone 4. 3G Pad 2.	03-31-2007, 10:12 PM use ~` ! # numbers or just a space before the file name. Best ~ 15" MacBook Pro. OSX 10.7 ~ 3G iPad 2 ~ Measure twice, cut once..
	QUOTE Thanks

eric #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 04, 2006 Location: twin cities, mn, usa Posts: 8,800	04-01-2007, 03:55 PM what view are you using? Please participate in our Member of the Month polls. Every vote counts! And remember to use the user reputation system! ["Dear Homer, I. O. U. one emergency donut. Signed, Homer." - Note by Homer Simpson]
	QUOTE Thanks

eric #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 04, 2006 Location: twin cities, mn, usa Posts: 8,800	04-01-2007, 04:00 PM yes. if he's using list or icon, this shouldn't be a problem. if he's using column, then he may need to use the tricks you guys are suggesting. i use those tricks too for sorting folders in list view. but of course all my folders are already on top. Please participate in our Member of the Month polls. Every vote counts! And remember to use the user reputation system! ["Dear Homer, I. O. U. one emergency donut. Signed, Homer." - Note by Homer Simpson]
	QUOTE Thanks

eric #14 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 04, 2006 Location: twin cities, mn, usa Posts: 8,800	04-05-2007, 06:52 AM that's weird. i have no problems having folders at the top with list or icon view (per the instructions in my first reply). are you clicking the "type" bar at the top of list view? Please participate in our Member of the Month polls. Every vote counts! And remember to use the user reputation system! ["Dear Homer, I. O. U. one emergency donut. Signed, Homer." - Note by Homer Simpson]
	QUOTE Thanks

OS 10.4 - Folders at top of "list"?

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ehmjay #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 30, 2005 Posts: 118	03-31-2007, 11:43 AM So this may sound like an odd question but, I organize all my folders by "type". However in some folders I've noticed I have a few file types that will always be at the top of the list leaving my folders in the middle (mostly PSD, TIF, AVI etc). Is there any way to make it so that the folders are always found at the top of these lists, while sorting by type, that doesn't require me manually moving the folders to the top? Thanks!
	QUOTE Thanks

ehmjay #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 30, 2005 Posts: 118	03-31-2007, 10:05 PM okay i think i need to do a little clarification. I know how I can set up folders to sort by type - however when I do so it does not have the folders at the top - certain file types are listed before them, however what I want is to have it so that everything still sorts by type but at the top will be any folders.
	QUOTE Thanks

Brown Study #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 11, 2004 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 1,964 Mac Specs: G4 — Tiger and OS 9	04-01-2007, 12:31 PM Put a space in front of the folder names. Whatever is named with a space first, tops the list. Two spaces take precedence over one space. Three over two, and so on. But don't do this with system folders or any other that Software Update wouldn't find.
	QUOTE Thanks

ehmjay #13 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 30, 2005 Posts: 118	04-01-2007, 09:51 PM Im using list view mostly, but also folder view in a few ones. both types have the same issue however. im going to try that trick though.
	QUOTE Thanks

giulio #15 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 19, 2007 Location: NY USA Posts: 1,813 Mac Specs: iMac 5.1 \| iMac 7.1 \| iPod Touch \| iPod Nano	04-05-2007, 08:25 AM Eric and Brown, what you're not getting is that sort-by-kind is an alpha sort of the Kind column. So 'Folder' is bellow 'Document'. emhjay is tyrying to have folders ALWAYS at the top regardless of your sort order, like the way Windows Explorer does. I do like that as well... I believe there is no way to do this. Putting spaces in front a of a folder's name is a crazy hack. You can't rename folders used by the system. Freelance Web Development schweb This has to be one of the best threads ever in MF history... Cherokee This gets my vote for most innovative thread on Mac-Forums... ever.
	QUOTE Thanks

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